SHAPED CARDS - A FUN WAY TO ADD VARIETY TO YOUR CARD MAKING

Hi Stampers!

Most of the time I make A-2 size cards. Once in a while I’ll make a slimline card, but when I feel like doing something a little different  I create shaped cards. I enjoy making shaped cards as they force me to think outside the box - you know that A-2 sized box! Shaped cards require me to take a second look at my dies and how I might use them to shape a card base. I also spend some time considering how I might create a shaped card without a die. Today I am sharing several shaped cards and a few tips for creating them. Let’s look at the cards:

NOTE - I use Stampin’ Up!®️Supplies, unless otherwise noted.

VIDEO

SHAPED CARDS - A FUN WAY TO ADD VARIETY 

TO YOUR CARD MAKING

SHAPED CARDS HOW TOS & TIPS

* When choosing dies for shaped cards, layering or nested dies are great choices, as other dies in the set make creating card layers a breeze!

* When using dies to shape cards, measure the height and width of the die to get the dimensions for the card base. Be sure to measure at highest and widest points. 

EXAMPLE - the width of a die is 4 7/8” (let’s round it to 5”), the height is 4”. 

- If I want the card to open at the top, I will double the height. So, I would cut my cardstock 8” x 5”, score at 4” and fold in half. 

-If I want the card to open on the side I will double the with. I would cut the cardstock 10” x 4” and score and fold it at 5”.

*With the card base folded, place the die on top. Slide the die up just a bit above the top edge (or just over <side edge) of the cardstock. Run it through the die cut machine. Most die cut machines will cut through 2 layers of cardstock, but check your machine’s instructions to be sure. This creates the card base.

* Cut a single cardstock layer of the shape, this full die cut will serve as the front of the card. Match up the edges of the die cut to the card base from bottom to top. This will help line up both pieces perfectly. 

LARGER DIES

PEEPS CARDS

These Peeps cards were created using NESTED PEEPS DIES from Scrapbook.com. The two larger cards measure 7 1/2” x 4”. The smaller card measures 5 3/4” x 3”. These cards will not fit inside an A-2 envelope. I will make an envelope for the yellow one. The other two I will just pop in my grandkids’ Easter Baskets. 

These cards open from the side. I cut my card bases, scored, and folded them. Then I lined up the die so it  slightly goes off the edge of the fold along the left bunny ear and the left bunny torso. Then I die cut the shape from another piece of cardstock, and adhered that on the front of the card. This hides the areas not cut by the die on the card base. 

SUPPLIES I USED FOR THE CARDS

* Card Bases - Pretty In Pink, Lemon Lolly, Balmy Blue cardstock

* Card Fronts - Melon Mambo, Azure Afternoon, and Lemon Lolly cardstock

* Inks - Melon Mambo, Lemon Lolly, Azure Afternoon

* Eyes &Noses - Early Espresso cardstock

* Dies - Nested Peeps (Scrapbook.com)

* Stamp Set - Hippity Hoppity (Scrapbook.com)

ALMOST A-2 SIZED DIES

These cards were created using the EVERYDAY ARCHES DIES from Stampin’ Up! These are layering dies. These cards measure just under 5 1/4” x just under 4”. Not quite A-2 size, but close enough. These dies can make cards that open from the side in a portrait style card or from the top. The card on the right is a portrait style, but can be turned with the fold on the left to become a landscape card. Because this is a layering die set, cutting layers and mats is no problem!

HEALING HORIZONS

SUPPLIES I USED

* Card Base and Card Front- Pecan Pie cardstock

* Layer - New Horizons DSP (retired)

* Other cardstock - Basic White

* Dies - Everyday Arches, Horizons (retired),  Layering Scalloped Squares (retired)

* Stamp set - Heal Your Heart (retired)

* Ink - Pecan Pie

* Embellishments - Adhesive Backed Dragonflies and Birds

* Dimensionals

HAPPY BUTTERFLIES

SUPPLIES I USED

* Card  Base and Card Front -  Gorgeous Grape cardstock

* Layer - Patterned Paper (retired)

* Other cardstock - Basic White

* Stamps - Beautiful Butterflies, Timeless Tulips (retired)

* Dies - Everyday Arches, Beautiful Butterflies, Stitched Labels (retired)

* Inks - Tuxedo Black (Memento), Gorgeous Grape; Stampin’ Blends - Highland Heather, Purple Posey (retired), Pool Party, Summer Splash, Bermuda Bay (retired)

* Embellishments - Glossy Dots Assortment

* Dimensionals

SMALLER DIES

Here are cards I made using various dies in my collection. They range in size from 5” tall (candy corn)to 2 3/4” tall (TV). The other 3 are around 4” tall.  The hexagon and TV dies have great straight lines, making it easy to place the straight edge just above the fold on the card base. The others take a bit more planning, but it is still a matter of placing the die cut just over the fold of the card base.  Cut the die cut again from a piece of cardstock, line it up over the card base, and adhere. I mail these cards in A-2 envelopes. The TV card is about the size of a gift tag, and I will most likely use it for that.

SPOOKY CANDY CORN

SUPPLIES I USED

* Card Base - Pumpkin Pie cardstock

* Card Front - Pumpkin Pie

* OtherCardstock - Basic White, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight

* Dies - Primitive Candy Corn (Whimsy Stamps), Spooktacular (Scrapbook.com)

* Embellishments - Black Star Sequins (retired)

* Dimensionals

SHAGGY DOG BIRTHDAY

SUPPLIES I USED

* Card Base and Card Front - Poppy Parade cardstock

* Patterned Paper - Surprise Party (Sunny Studios)

* Other cardstock Basic White and Poppy Parade for stamping and greeting, and inside panel

* Stamps - Shaggy Dog - (Avery Elle)

* Ink - Tuxedo Black (Memento), Stampin’ Blends - Poppy Parade, Granny Apple Green, Azure Afternoon, Daffodil Delight, Smoky Slate, Color Lifter

* Dies- Circles (Spellbinders) - 3 3/4” diameter card base and front; 3 1/2” diameter for layer and inside panel

* Dimensionals

BIRTHDAY POSIES

SUPPLIES I USED

* Card Base and Card Front - Highland Heather cardstock

* Mat - Gorgeous Grape cardstock

* Focal Panel and Inside Panel - Basic White cardstock

* Other Cardstock - Basic White for stamping

* Stamps - Cheerful Daisies & dies, Amaryllis Abloom (retired)

* Dies - Scallop Circles, Circles (Spellbinders)

* Inks - Highland Heather, Garden Green, Gorgeous Grape, Daffodil Delight

* Dimensionals

HAPPY BEE-DAY

SUPPLIES I USED

* Card Base and Card Front - Crushed Curry cardstock

* Other Cardstock - Basic White, Pecan Pie, Crushed Curry for stamping and die cutting

* Stamps - Bee My Valentine, Meant to BeeHey Birthday Chick (retired)

* Vellum

* Dies - Meant to Bee, Stylish Shapes

* Punch - Bee Builder

* Embossing Folder - Hive (retired)

* Inks - Tuxedo Black (Memento), Pecan Pie

* Sponge Dauber

* Embellishments - Simple Vintage Flower Shop Glossy Enamel Dots (Simple Stories) 

* Dimensionals

STAY TUNED

SUPPLIES I USED

* Card Base - Basic Beige

* Card Front - Woodgrain paper (retired)

* Other cardstock - Basic Beige

* Stamp - Tune In and dies

* Inks - Tuxedo Black (Memento), Pecan Pie

* Embellishments - Adhesive Backed Metallic Gems

NO DIES

So what if you have no dies? You can still make shaped cards. How about creating square cards? Square is a great shape. In my samples I turned my square cards into Christmas presents! How about making it a table top? A box of candies? Turn it to make it a diamond or a kite. Another shape that is easy to make with a paper trimmer is a pennant shape. What other shapes can you think of? A tag shape would be easy to create from a top folding A-2 sized card. Make an angled cut at the upper right corner. Use the cut piece as a pattern to cut the corner on the upper left side. Can you come up with other shapes?

Below are the instructions for creating a Pennant Card from a top folded card base (11” x 4 1/4” scored and folded at 5 1/2”). I’ve also given the instructions for cutting layers.

PENNANT CARD BASE AND LAYERS

SUPPLIES I USED

* Card Base - Daffodil Delight

* Layer - Surprise Party (Sunny Studios)

* Sentiment - Blueberry Bushel, Daffodil Delight cardstock, Happy Birthday die (Hunkydory)

* Baker’s Twine - Blue, Orange, Varigated - for tassel, separate strands at top of card

* Embellishments - Rainbow Adhesive Backed Dots

* Dimensionals

OH CHRISTMAS GIFT

SUPPLIES I USED

* Card Base - Garden Green cardstock (8 1/2” x 4 1/4” scored and folded at 4 1/4”)

* Card Front - Real Red (4 1/4” x 4 1/4”)

* Inside Panel - Basic White cardstock - 4” x 4”

* Ribbon - Garden Green (retired) two at  5 1/4”

* Baker’s Twine - Garden Green (retired) - about 8 inches

* Scrap of white cardstock for tag

* Stamp - IttyBittyChristmas (retired)

* Ink - Garden Green

* Dies - Greetings of the Season

* Embellishments - Trees and Dots (retired)

HOLIDAY FLORALS

SUPPLIES I USED

* Card Base - Petal Pink

* Card Front - Snow Pine Lodge (Simple Stories)

* Ribbon - Petal Pink (retired)

* Dies - Greetings of the Season

* Ink - Real Red

* Twine - Vanilla (? No clue where I got it)

* Embellishments - Glass Beads (? - again, no clue)

* Dimensionals

FUN TO MAKE SHAPED CARDS

Shaped cards are fun to make, and give your brain a chance to exercise as you have to adjust measurements and think about new ways to use layouts and focal points. Go through your dies, see what ones you have that would make cute cards! If dies are not available, remember you can easily make a pennant card!  A square is a shape, for that matter so is a rectangle! Turn your squares cards and rectangular cards into something unexpected, like a present, , a tag, maybe a house. . . Keep thinking, I know there are more no dies need shaped cards. 

Thank you so much for joining me today. Until next time . . . . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim

COUNTRYSIDE CORNERS BUNDLE- IN DETAIL AND AN EASY SHAPED CARD

Hi Stampers,

Today we will take a “In Detail” look at the COUNTRYSIDE CORNERS BUNDLE. This bundle includes the COUNTRYSIDE CORNERS STAMP & the COUNTRYSIDE  CORNERS DIES. This bundle is part of the COUNTRYSIDE INN SUITE? The suite features this bundle as well as COUNTRYSIDE INN DSP and the COUNTRYSIDE BLOOMS EMBOSSING FOLDER. You can view these items on pages 62-63 of the STAMPIN’ UP!®️ 2023-2024 ANNUAL CATALOG or in my online store HERE.

Below are a few cards I created using the COUNTRYSIDE CORNERS BUNDLE:

COUNTRYSIDE CORNERS STAMP SET

STAMPED IMAGE

Don’t let the fact this is only one stamp fool you! It is great on its own, but paired with the dies, this is one versatile stamp! 

COUNTRYSIDE CORNERS DIES

COUNTRYSIDE CORNERS DIE CUTS 

(POSITIVES)

COUNTRYSIDE CORNER DIE CUTS

(NEGATIVES - FRAMES)

The dies can create background pieces, layers, labels, frames, and more! Layering die sets are always a great value as they allow for so many creative possibilities!

STAMPED AND DIE CUT IMAGES

Stamp once, line up the dies on the image, and die cut once to get 7 images to use on one card or several cards! 

COUNTRYSIDE INN DSP

(12 DOUBLE SIDED SHEETS; 2 OF EACH DESIGN; 12” X 12”)

(COLORS: BALMY BLUE, BOHO BLUE, MISTY MOONLIGHT, & NIGHT IF NAVY)

VIDEO

COUNTYSIDE CORNERS BUNDLE BY STAMPIN’ UP!

IN DETAIL

When I saw the COUNTRYSIDE CORNERS DIES my first thought was “shaped cards!” I felt the large die would be just perfect for creating an easy-peasy shaped card, and it is! Below are my two sample cards. The cards fit inside the Stampin’ Up! medium envelopes (A-2 size), the Stampin’ Up! note card envelopes (measure about 5 3/16” x 3 1/8”), or a regular letter envelope (# 6 3/4; measures 3 5/8” x 6 1/2”).

COUNTRYSIDE CORNERS SHAPED CARD BASE

For my card bases I used a regular A-2 card base cut at 8 1/2” x 5 1/5” scored and folded at 4 1/4” along the 8 1/2” side. Using the largest of the dies, line up one of the long sides along the fold of the card base. Make sure the cutting edge of the die lines up along the outside of the fold of the card base.  Run this through your die cut machine. My Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine cut through both layers of cardstock with one pass through. Because calibration of die cut machines can vary, you might need to run the card base through and back to get a cut through the two layers of cardstock.

If you wish to cover the entire card front with DSP as I did for my cards use the same process. I used a 3 1/2” x 6” piece of DSP, lined the long end of the die along the edge of the 6”side of the DSP, making sure the cutting edge was on the outside of the DSP. This process ensured the die cut piece would fit perfectly on the front of the card base.

SHAPED BIRTHDAY CARD 1

SUPPLIES FOR THIS CARD

* Cheerful Daisies Bundle, Lasting Joy stamp set (greeting), Countryside Corners Dies

* Card base - Boho Blue cardstock (Refer to instructions above)

* Countryside Inn DSP for card front (Refer to instructions above)

* Basic White cardstock for inside card (cut with second largest die)

* Basic White cardstock cut with third smallest die - for greeting

* Basic White cardstock for stamping and die cutting

* Inks - Boho Blue and Night of Navy

* Blending Brush

* 2023-2025 In Color Dots - Boho Blue, 3

* Adhesive, dimensionals 

NOTES - Use blending brush and Boho Blue ink to color the Basic White die cut for greeting.

I used four of the flower images (one is inside the card). The flowers are stamped in Night of Navy with Boho Blue centers. I stamped and die cut 6 leaves in Night of Navy (2 are on the inside of the card). I die cut two of the “greenery” pieces (skinny leaves).

SHAPED BIRTHDAY CARD 2

SUPPLIES FOR THIS CARD

* Countryside Corners Dies, Sailboat Builder Punch, Waves of Inspiration stamp set (greeting)

* Card base - Misty Moonlight cardstock

* Countryside Inn DSP

* Basic White cardstock cut with the second largest die for inside of card

* Small amounts of Basic White and Misty Moonlight cardstock for punched image and greeting

* Ink - Real Red; Stampin’ Blends - Misty Moonlight (dark) to color rhinestones

* Rhinestones Basic Jewels - 3 (color with Misty Moonlight (dark) Stampin’ Blend)

* Ribbon of choice - about 2 1/2”

* Adhesive, dimensionals, glue dots

NOTES - I placed a glue dot on the back side of each end of the ribbon and folded it back. This solved the problem of fraying. Next I placed 4-5 glue dots under the sailboat, and attached each end, then sort of gathered the ribbon and pushed it down into the glue dots.

OTHER OPTIONS 

* If you do not have blue ribbon you can use Stampin’ Blends markers and color white ribbon.

* Do you sew? Do you have any blue rick-rack? The rick-rack would look great!

* Do you have dies shaped like waves? Die cut waves will work just fine!

COUNTRYSIDE INN SPECIAL DAY 

SUPPLIES FOR THIS CARD

* Countryside Corners Bundle, Sweet Songbird stamp set (greeting)

* Card base - Night of Navy 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4”

* Countryside Inn DSP - 5 3/8” x 4 1/8”

* Inside panel - Basic White cut at 5 1/4” x 4”

* Night of Navy cardstock for mat cut with 3rd largest die

* Focal panel - Basic White, stamped with Country Corners stamp and Boho Blue ink, and die cut with 4th largest die.

* Inks - Boho Blue and Night of Navy (for greeting)

* 2023-2025 In Color Dots - Boho Blue, 5

* Adhesive, dimensionals 

COUNTRYSIDE CORNERS IN BUBBLE BATH

SUPPLIES FOR THIS CARD

* Countryside Corners Bundle, Day to Remember stamp set, Lasting Joy stamp set (greeting)

* Card base- Bubble Bath cardstock  cut at 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4”

* Inside panel - Basic White cardstock 5 1/4” x 4”

* Basic White and Bubble Bath cardstock to stamp and die cut for focal panel

* Large scrap of Basic White cardstock for dimensional layers

* Ink - Bubble Bath

* Sponge dauber 

* White Baker’s Twine - about 20” plus another piece about @ 9” long for bow

* Rhinestone Basic Jewels - about 7 (depends on the number of flower centers

* Adhesive and dimensionals 

NOTES

* I used the ink and sponge dauber to sponge a little color around the edges of each piece of the focal piece.

*Stamp the Countryside Corners image on Basic White cardstock with the Bubble Bath ink. Use the 3rd largest die cut to cut the image into two pieces. Using larger scraps of Basic White cardstock and the largest and 3rd largest dies create two more frames and two more centers. Adhere the two frames to the back of the corresponding piece of the focal image. Next adhere one of the centers and adhere yo the backside of the center panel of the focal panel. Adhere the frame to the card base with adhesive. Adhere the center portion of the card base with dimensionals. 

* Use the 3rd smallest die yo cut 3 panels from the Bubble Bath cardstock. Use the flower stamp from the Days to Remember stamp set and the Bubble Bath ink and randomly stamp flowers on two panels. Randomly stamp the “Happy Birthday” from the same set on the remaining panel. Adhere the three panels to one another, and wrap the baker’s twine around them, secure twine with adhesive or cellophane tape. Slip remaining piece of twine under wrapped twine and tie a bow. Adhere this to the center of the focal panel with dimensionals.

* I stamped a few of the flower images on the inside of card panel.

COUNTRYSIDE CORNERS MEETS WILD WHEAT & LOST LAGOON 

SUPPLIES FOR THIS CARD

* Countryside Corners Bundle, Lasting Joy stamp set (greeting)

* Card base - Wild Wheat cut at 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4”

* Inside panel - Basic White 8” x 5” and scored at 4”

* Lost Lagoon cardstock  - about 5 1/4” x 4”

* Inks - Wild Wheat, Lost Lagoon, Pebbled Path (greeting)

* 3/8” Textured Ribbon - Wild Wheat, 2 pieces, each about 2 1/2” long

* Adhesive, strong adhesive like Stampin’ Seal + or Tear & Tape and dimensionals

NOTES

* Stamp the image in the center of the card base with the Wild Wheat ink.

* Stamp the image on Lost Lagoon cardstock with the Lost Lagoon ink. Die cut this image with the three largest dies, skip one die and use the 5th and 6th dies. Use the Pebbled Path ink to stamp the greeting on the smallest piece of the die cut. 

* Adhere the largest and smallest die cut pieces directly to the card base.

* Place strong adhesive on the back side of the die cut on the center of the left and right side of the die cut. Place the end of the ribbon on the adhesive and wrap the ribbon around to the front of the die cut. Place dimensionals on the back side of the die cut. 

* Adhere the die cut in place leaving the pieces of ribbon unattached on one end.

* Open the card base and adhere the ribbon to the inside of the card.

* Adhere the Basic White inside panel. This will cover up the ends of the ribbon.

VIDEO CARD

SUPPLIES FOR THIS CARD

The cutting measurements and supplies for this card are the same as for the Wild Wheat version. The colors are just different

* Card base - Moody Mauve

* Misty Moonlight cardstock for die cut images

* Inks - Moody Mauve and Misty Moonlight

* Ribbon - 3/8” Textured Ribbon - Moody Mauve

That’s all for today. Thanks for stopping by. Until next time…

Stamp Happy!

Kim

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